Fellow Rotarians,
 
There is a saying that ‘what gets measured, gets done.’ Do you find that rings true in Rotary? You can measure a year: 525,625 minutes. 8,760 hours. A number of meetings held and club events hosted. You can count the number of trees your club planted, and how many Youth you supported though RYLA, Youth Exchange, scholarships, Students of the Month. You can even calculate the number of hours your club members have volunteered!
 
But can we measure the number of lives we’ve impacted this year? It really is impossible! 
 
And yet, measure we must! Rotary clubs all over the world have been asked to track their activities, to measure and count. Why? So that we can better tell our stories and share the good news of the impact we Rotarians make in our local and global communities. Thank you to our Club leaders, who have been tracking these in Rotary Club Central, and the AGs who have been helping them.
 
Here in District 5495, clubs have been tracking their activities and impact, too, if they are planning to earn this year’s 5 Avenues of Service Award for Club Achievement. It’s time now to revisit the award and tie up any loose ends. Remember to submit the Five Avenues Results Reporting Form by May 1. Clubs that earn the award will be recognized at the District Conference at the Wigwam Resort on June 1 and 2 by Rotary International Director John Matthews!
 
The theme of our District Conference is “Celebrate!” The Conference Team is planning a unique event that features two enjoyable days of relaxing, networking, inspiration, service and celebration. I hope you’ve registered to join us to celebrate the end of a very special Rotary year. Consider making it a family stay-cation so you can experience all that the Wigwam has to offer. Extend your stay to include the Rotary-hosted pre-conference “Pursuing Peace” on May 31. It features dynamic speakers from three sectors and is open to the community. On Sunday, June 3, plan to sleep in, then attend the installation breakfast of our 2018-19 Governor Jim Erickson.
 
The month of April brings RYLA Camp Ponderosa April 5-8, Club Leadership Academy April 21, and plenty of sunshine and club activities.
 
Enjoy!